JP2000102154A - Variable optical fiber strand storage device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a variable cable storage device which can accommodate cables with various radii of curvature. SOLUTION: This is a variable cable storage device 10 which is used when aerially installing a cable on a utility pole or other support structure, houses a cable slack 12 of a specified surplus length in the sky, and maintains it as a roughly flat loop as a part of the first facility of the cable. The cable storage device 10 is equipped with a bracket 13 and a groove 18 positioned around this bracket 13. This groove 18 is so made as to accommodate and guide a part of the cable slack 12 of a specified length. The groove 18 has a circular section and two rectilinear sections converging with each other. These rectilinear sections are so made as to guide the section of the cable slack 12 of a specified length to or from the circular section. The storage device is further equipped with a cross member 23. This cross member is selectively adjustable so that it may be adaptable to any radii of curvature of various cables by changing the diameter of the circular section.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to support devices, and more particularly, to cable storage for storing excess fiber optic cables mounted in series on utility posts or other support structures. The present invention relates to an apparatus and a storage method thereof. More particularly, the present invention relates to a variable fiber optic strand storage device that can be adjusted to accommodate the various bending radii of a set of fiber optic cables.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Today, developments in lightwave technology are continuing rapidly. Such advances have improved system performance and have reduced the cost of fiber optic cables and associated optoelectronics that transmit information through hair-like thin strands of glass instead of the usual metallic media. Has been reduced. Eventually, due to these considerations and the additional performance benefits, fiber optic cables have replaced copper wire as the preferred transmission medium in many telecommunications applications.

[0003] Initially, fiber optic cables were installed only on long distance intercity networks and interoffice trunk lines.
However, today, such cables are being installed in the transmission network of the subscriber line.
Future applications will be extended to fiber optic cables for distribution to the customer's building itself. In fact, it is now being proposed by local telephone companies and cable television companies to offices and homes that the expansion of new information services is possible and the benefits of the high communication capabilities offered by fiber optic cables. Such interactive services include, for example, a local area network (LAN), educational / entertainment video, energy management, alert monitoring technology, and home banking.

[0004] The mitigation of congested telecommunications equipment and the demand for the information services mentioned above is subject to the installation of new fiber optic equipment, in particular the topographical or structural conditions where the equipment is geographically dispersed. Or, it requires installation of overhead cable installations in low population areas where other economic reasons exist.

[0005] Despite the advantages of fiber optic cables and their increasing demand, there are still disadvantages to the general use of fiber optic cables instead of conventional metal media. First, fiber optic cables are more fragile than copper or coaxial cables. In addition, the optical fiber cable, tensile force, bending force and crushing force,
More sensitive. Therefore, fiber optic cables require more robust equipment and maintenance techniques than ordinary media. If a fiber optic cable is mishandled, a portion of the fiber optic cable must be replaced because a broken, crushed, or twisted cable degrades transmission quality. . The time and expense and customer inconvenience associated with replacing or relocating locally installed fiber optic cables is significant. The reason is that installing, inspecting and maintaining such communication equipment requires a lot of labor and requires the use of expensive equipment.
Those skilled in the art have not yet addressed the need to reduce the aforementioned costs and inefficiencies associated with such operations after the initial installation of fiber optic cables.

[0006] As is well known, it is advantageous to store excess cable in series in an optical fiber transmission line for maintenance and service. Excess cable is usually stored by winding it around an aerial device suspended from a support messenger strand for fiber optic lines or attached to a transmission line post. In a well-known device, a substantially U
The U-shaped groove forms a guide for the cable along the side of the device and the arcuate return section. In this structure,
The worker bends the cable strand around the perimeter of the device,
Store this strand.

[0007]

Generally, the most important parameter of a fiber optic cable is its bending radius. While installing fiber optic cable, and
When finalizing the fiber optic cable, the cable must not be bent to a bend radius smaller than the minimum bend radius of the cable specified by the manufacturer. Of course, there are many types of fiber optic cables having different bending radii. Therefore, when different optical fiber cables are erected (installed in the air), accommodating different bending radii becomes a problem. The known type of device described above is a one-piece device having a constant bending diameter, and
It can only accommodate a limited number of bending radii of fiber optic cables. Therefore, there is a need to enable devices of different dimensions to be used in the art.

It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a variable fiber optic strand storage apparatus and method in the industry which does not require different sized devices to accommodate different bending radii of various fiber optic cables. is there.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a variable fiber optic strand storage apparatus and method in an overhead installation that supports and maintains inexpensively slack of excess fiber optic cable in such operations.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a storage device that is adjustable to accommodate various bending radii of a set of fiber optic cables.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an easily formable and formable electrical hazard to personnel handling enclosures near transmission lines or other electrical problems such as electrical shock. It is to provide an imaginary storage device of the type described above, which preferably minimizes or eliminates.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above objects and advantages, according to the objects of the present invention embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention comprises Provide a variable (adjustable) cable enclosure for use in installing cables overhead in other support structures, thereby preserving certain excess cable slack in the air and providing some of the initial cable equipment. The above-mentioned problem is addressed by maintaining as a generally flat annular body. The cable storage device includes a bracket, and groove means positioned on the outer periphery of the bracket so as to receive and guide a part of a cable slack having a predetermined length. It includes an arcuate portion and two converging straight portions that guide a section of cable slack of a predetermined length toward and from the arcuate portion. The storage device may further selectively adjust the diameter of the arcuate portion,
Means are provided for accommodating the bending radii of the various cables. The bracket can be formed from two opposing separate gender components, the gender components comprising:
The bracket is generally symmetrical with respect to a longitudinal center line. The device may further comprise at least one attachment means for fixing the bracket to a messenger (messenger cable) in the air.

The present invention is also used in the overhead installation of a cable on a utility pole or other support structure, wherein a predetermined excess length of cable slack is generally flat as part of the initial installation of the cable. Provided is a variable cable storage device that is stored and held in the air as a simple annular body. The apparatus includes a bracket having first and second ends and groove means positioned on the outer periphery of the bracket to provide a substantially flat storage ring. The groove means includes a bottom surface, and opposing side walls extending away from the bottom surface.
An open top for accommodating a predetermined excess length of cable slack between the side walls. The groove means further includes a generally arcuate portion extending about the first end of the bracket to form an arcuate return for a stored portion of cable slack of a predetermined excess length. And straight portions located on both sides of the bracket. The straight portions converge from the end of the arc portion toward the second end, and another portion of the cable slack having a predetermined excess length is connected to the arc portion and the second end portion. Is stored between A centerline maintaining member extends from the first and second ends of the bracket substantially along a longitudinal centerline. A transverse support member extends across the end of the arcuate portion. The cross member includes means for adjusting the diameter of the arc to accommodate the various cable bend radii.

[0014] The bracket may be formed from two opposing separate gender components that are generally symmetric about the longitudinal centerline of the bracket. Each of the hermaphroditic components includes a separate member that cooperates as the components mate to form the cross member. The means for adjusting the diameter of the arcuate portion may comprise a row of bolt holes extending through each member of the opposing component, wherein the bolt holes are selectively adapted to adjust the diameter of the arcuate portion. Be aligned.

The drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, as well as the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, illustrate the principles of the invention. Play a role.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings, a representative variable fiber optic strand storage device embodying various features of the present invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10 throughout the drawings. As can be seen throughout the drawings, and as will be more fully described below, the enclosure 10 is used in aerial installations of fiber optic cables 11 or the like to provide a predetermined excess length of cable slack 12 in the air. Preferably, it is stored and maintained as part of the initial cable installation. Generally, the optical fiber cable 11 installed in the overhead equipment is a single-mode central insulating member, and is a non-exterior loose-tube type having four to 144 fibers. The term "slack," as used throughout this specification, refers to extra length cables 11, wires, etc. that allow excessive slack.

Referring to FIG. 1, the storage device 10 includes a bracket 13 for storing and guiding a cable slack 12 having a predetermined surplus length, a messenger 16 for the bracket 13, and another space between the utility posts 17. At least one attachment means 14 for fixing in the air to the support structure. In a preferred embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 2, the bracket 13 is comprised of two separate, opposing parts 13a, 13b, described more fully below, which are typically glass fiber reinforced. It is formed from nylon or any other suitable material that can withstand harmful sunlight radiation and withstand a wide temperature range without cracking or breaking. Both parts 13a, 13b are generally symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal center line of the bracket 13 and are designed to be amphoteric (having both sexes). That is, both parts 13 that cooperate to form the bracket 13
Only one mold is required to form a, 13b. Therefore, a relatively small number of parts are required to assemble the bracket 13 and the simplicity of the bracket construction minimizes the manufacturing costs of the present invention.

The outer periphery of the bracket 13 includes groove means 18 for accommodating and guiding the cable slack 12 of a predetermined excess length, and this groove means is generally as shown throughout the drawings. It can be U-shaped. The groove means 18 has a bottom surface 19 and opposing side walls 21 and 22 extending upward from both sides of the bottom surface. The groove means 18 has a substantially semicircular arc-shaped portion 18a.
And two converging straight line portions 18b and 18
c. In a preferred embodiment, both ends 24, 26 of the arcuate portion 18a
They are smoothly and tangentially connected to the straight portions 18b and 18c, respectively. The straight sections 18b, 18c are located on both sides of the bracket 13 and converge towards the relatively narrow entry / exit end 25 of the bracket 13, thereby providing cable slack. The entry and exit portions of 12 have their sides adjacent to each other.

Generally speaking, the arcuate portion 1 of the groove means 18
8a forms a return arc or annular portion for the cable slack 13. The arcuate portion 18a is configured to have a suitable diameter to provide a bent surface for the optical fiber cable 11. The diameter requirement of the arcuate portion 18a is related to the minimum bend radius of the fiber optic cable and will be well understood by those skilled in the art of fiber optic cable.

Referring to FIG. 2, the parts 13a, 13b of the bracket 13 are respectively provided with support cross members 23a, 23a.
b and supporting center line members 27a and 27b.
After the parts 13a and 13b are joined to form the bracket 13, the cross members 23a and 23b and the center line member 2
7a, 27b are generally aligned and cut-off support cross members 23
To form The support cross member extends through diametrically opposed ends 24, 26 of the arcuate portion 18a and a single support centerline member 27, respectively.

In use, the storage device 10 is preferably suspended horizontally in a conventional manner from the support messenger 16 using at least one attachment means 14. In the preferred embodiment, as best shown in FIG. 1, the storage device 10 employs two attachment means 14 comprised of a conventional horizontal hold down bracket. The bracket has a flat metal bottom bolted to the top side of the bracket 13. Each cross member 23a, 23b has a row of bolt holes used in bolting the first attachment means 14 to the top side of the bracket 13, the row of bolt holes being three. Preferably, in the figures reference numerals 29, 32, 33 and 34, 3
6 and 37, respectively. Similarly, each centerline member 27a, 27b has a bolt hole 31a, 31b, respectively, adjacent the narrow end 25, which bolt connects the second attachment means 14 to the top of the bracket 13. Used when bolting to the side.

When the parts 13a and 13b are fitted to each other, a bolt hole 31 penetrating through the center line members 27a and 27b
a, 31b are aligned with each other in the axial direction,
A bolt 38 for bolting the attachment means 14 to the bracket 13 is accommodated. As shown in FIG. 3, when the parts 13a, 13b are fitted to each other and become completely closed, the bolt holes 29, 3
2, 33 are bolt holes 34, 36, 3 of the cross member 23b.
7 in the axial direction. Bolt 39
The first attachment means 1 is housed in any one of the three sets of aligned holes 29-34 or 33-37.
4 is bolted to the bracket 13. FIGS. 1, 6 and 7 show a bolt 39 passing through the holes 32,36.

The bending diameter of the groove means 18a is relatively at its minimum in a completely closed state. Groove means 18
To adjust the bend diameter of a, for example, to increase the bend diameter of the groove means, partially open the bracket 13 so that another combination of bolt holes in the cross members 23a, 23b is shown in FIG. Can be aligned as shown. Thus, the row of bolt holes in the cross members 23a, 23b functions as a means for adjusting the bending diameter of the groove means 18a. As shown in FIG. 5, when the bracket 12 is partially opened to increase the bending radius of the groove means 18a, the bracket 13 rotates around the axis of the bolt holes 31a, 31b of the centerline members 27a, 27b. FIG.
Shows a state in which the holes 34, 32 of the cross members 23a, 23b are aligned. However, the cross member 23
It should be noted that any number of bolt holes a, 23b can be provided to serve as a means of adjusting the bracket 13. Thus, the adjustability of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is sufficient to accommodate almost the entire range of fiber optic cable currently available for overhead installations with low variability.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show two preferred overhead installations using the enclosure 10 and method of the present invention.
In FIG. 6, it is assumed that the optical fiber cable 11 originates from substantially the left side of the drawing and is pulled in the direction indicated by the arrow. That is, the cable 11
(At least initially) pulled from left to right. In this embodiment, two brackets 13
Are first mounted in facing relation to messengers 16 between utility posts 17 (shown in FIG. 6) or messengers 16 (not shown) on either side of utility posts 17. The position of each bracket 13 along the message 16 depends on the amount of slack desired at that position. For example, if about 60 feet (18.3 m) of slack is required at the site, two brackets 13 may be installed at about 4.6
m (15 feet) apart.

The bracket 13 is first adjusted to accommodate a particular minimum bend radius of the cable 11. Next, the cable 11 is pulled toward the first bracket 13 (indicated by reference numeral 13 'in FIG. 6). Thereafter, the cable 11 is guided into the groove means 18 of the first bracket 13 ', starting at the straight section 18b, winding around the arcuate section 18a, and straightening the straight section 18c of the first bracket 13'.
From the second bracket 13 (indicated by reference numeral 13 ″ in FIG. 6). When the cable 11 engages the first bracket 13 ', a portion of the cable slack 12 of a predetermined excess length is considered.

Next, the cable 12 is connected to the second bracket 1.
3 "and the second groove means 1
Put in a ring inside 8. The cable 12 is first placed in the straight section 18b, wrapped around the arcuate section 18a and then out of the straight section 18c. Thereafter, the cable 12 is pulled to the right again toward the end of the cable.
After applying the required tensile load to the installed cable, each bracket 13 ′, 13 ″ is fixed to the messenger 16. Thus, it is clearly shown that by using the present invention, the slack 12 can be easily installed and maintained at a minimum bend radius at any convenient point along the route of the cable 11. For example, a "preferred" location where slack can be maintained is where there is clear column space, where there is easy entry and exit, or access to splicing vehicles, tools and test equipment. Including possible locations.

Finally, referring to FIG.
Are shown where the air splice (air connection) is located. In this state, the first optical fiber cable 11 (indicated by reference numeral 11 'in FIG. 7) from the left is connected to the second optical fiber cable 11 (in FIG. (Indicated by reference numeral 11 ''). In this case, a slack 12 of sufficient length is provided from the second optical fiber cable 11 ″, so that the splicing operation (connection operation) can be performed on the ground. After the connection operation is completed, the splice enclosing tool 28 is fixed to the messenger 16. Next, the slack 12 is held by and held by the bracket 13 and is first placed in the straight section 18b, wound around the arcuate section 18a, and then out of the straight section 18c. Moving the bracket 13 along the messenger 16 pulls the excess slack 12 in tension, securing the device at that point.

Having described above the preferred embodiment of the present invention,
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications can be made to the embodiments disclosed above and that such changes fall within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a variable fiber optic strand storage device embodying features of the present invention for maintaining and storing excess length cable slack or the like of fiber optics.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state where the storage device of FIG. 1 embodying the features of the present invention is fitted and in an open position.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a state in which the storage device of FIG. 1 embodying the features of the present invention is in a first closed position in which the storage devices are fitted or engaged.

FIG. 4 illustrates an apparatus embodying features of the present invention in FIG.
It is sectional drawing shown along 4.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 embodying features of the present invention in a mated or engaged second closed position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an optical fiber cable overhead installation embodying the features of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an optical fiber cable overhead installation embodying the features of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Storage device 11 Cable 12 Cable slack 13 Bracket 13a, 13b Male and female amphoteric parts 14 Attachment means 16 Messenger 17 Utility column 18 Groove means 18a Arc-shaped portion 18b, 18c Linear portion 19 Bottom 21, 22 Side wall 23 Supporting cross member 23a, 23b Crossing member 24, 26 End 27a, 27b Centerline member 29, 32, 33 Bolt hole 34, 36, 37 Bolt hole

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A cable for use in overhead installation of cables on utility poles or other support structures, wherein a predetermined excess length of cable slack is stored in the air and is generally included as part of the initial cable installation. A variable cable storage device maintained as a flat loop, comprising: (a) a bracket; and (b) a periphery of an outer periphery of the bracket to accommodate and guide a portion of a predetermined length of cable slack. And has an arcuate portion and two converging straight portions that guide the portion of the cable slack from the arcuate portion toward the arcuate portion. A variable cable housing comprising: (c) means adapted to selectively adjust the diameter of the arcuate portion to accommodate various cable bend radii. apparatus. 2. The variable cable storage device according to claim 1, wherein the bracket is formed from two opposing separate genders, the genders being relative to a longitudinal centerline of the bracket. A variable cable storage device characterized by being substantially symmetrical. 3. The variable cable storage device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one attachment means for fixing the bracket to the messenger in the air. 4. The cable is used for overhead installation on a utility pole or other support structure, and a cable slack of a predetermined excess length is stored in the air to be generally used as part of the initial cable installation. A variable cable storage device maintained as a flat hoop, comprising: (a) a bracket having first and second ends; and (b) an outer periphery of the bracket to form a substantially flat hoop. Groove means positioned around the periphery of the portion, the groove means having a bottom surface, opposing side walls extending away from the bottom surface, an open top, and a predetermined excess (D) the groove means defines a generally arcuate portion extending around the first end of the bracket. , Said storage part of cable slack (E) the groove means also defines straight sections on both sides of the bracket, the straight sections extending from the end of the arc to the second end. Towards the cable
Adapted to store another portion of the slack between the arcuate portion and the second end, and (f) further comprising the first and second ends of the bracket substantially along a longitudinal centerline. And (g) a support cross member extending across the end of the arcuate portion, the support cross member adapted to accommodate the bending radius of the various cables. A variable cable storage device, further comprising adjusting means for adjusting the diameter of the arc-shaped portion. 5. A variable cable storage device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the bracket is formed from two opposing separate genders, the genders being relative to the longitudinal centerline of the bracket. Generally symmetrical,
A variable cable enclosure, wherein each gender component includes a separate member that cooperates when the components are mated to form a support cross member. 6. The variable cable storage device according to claim 5, wherein the adjusting means includes a row of bolt holes passing through each member of the opposed component, wherein the bolt holes are
A variable cable storage device that is selectively aligned to adjust the diameter of the arcuate portion.